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Calvin and Fanny Phibbs with (l-r) Evelyn, Florence, and Catherine in Idaho in 1912.

I had heard a rumor a couple of years ago that Calvin Phibbs had committed suicide but could not confirm the story. Now that I am back in Idaho, I stopped by the Rupert Library to see if they had some old newspapers. Sure enough, I found the following obituary which reads more like the local gossip column. I will include some of the family history after the obituary.

“Judge Phibbs Ends Life; Ill Health Cause
“Well Known Rupert Attorney Meets Instant Death By Own Hand at Home Thursday.
“Four months of sleeplessness, a body racked with pain and mind grown despondent through belief of the utter hopelessness of physical recovery, led to the tragic, but carefully planned suicide of Judge C. D. Phibbs, well known Rupert attorney who ended his life at his home Thursday.
Seated before a mirror in his bedroom at three o’clock in the afternoon, when no one was in the house but his wife and himself, the distraught man placed the muzzle of a 22-caliber hammerless revolver to his right temple, and with a firm unswerving hand sent a bullet through his brain, death being instantaneous. The leaden missile passed through the head and lodged in the wall, near the ceiling.
“Startled by the sharp explosion of the gun, Mrs. Phibbs rushed in from an adjoining room to find her husband’s body crumpled on the floor with his life extinct.
“That the rash act was premeditated and carried out as planned is shown by excerpts from a letter written the previous Saturday, addressed to his wife and left where she could not fail to find it.
“I do not feel that I can get well. I have suffered for four months. So much that I cannot endure it. If anything happens to me, know that I love you and have never loved anyone but you. Tell the children to be good children, as it is best for them. It is the only way to be happy. I have failed to do as much for them as I wanted to but have not been able.”
“Following the introductory explanation foreshadowing the tragedy that was to take place, the letter continued with detailed instructions of what to do in regard to business that would arise, told where his life insurance policies were, how to plan the funeral, left words of encouragement to the children to continue their education and even advised about planting a garden.
“After a farewell sent the children and the brief words of assurance for their future, the final paragraph concludes: “God bless you all till we meet again. I do not believe God will blame me for what I am doing for there is no other way.”
“The letter was found by Mrs. Phibbs soon after the tragic shooting occurred. It was dated March 20. Although she knew he suffered much from stomach trouble for many weeks and was discouraged over his health, no hint of self-destruction was ever suggested by her husband, she said, and in the past week it seemed to be somewhat improved, and had been to his office only a few days before the appalling act. He had suffered intensely from stomach trouble and it is thought he believed himself a victim of cancer.
“When a youth of 13 years, while in the mountains of Virginia, at Fancy Gap, Carroll county where he was reared, in 1899 Calvin D. Phibbs, whose father worked in the mines there, hopped on a coal car and received injury to his left leg that later caused infection, making amputation necessary and left him crippled for life.
“In 1906 when twenty years of age he married Fanny Elizabeth Ross in Welch, West Virginia, and on March 21, 1913, they came to Idaho and to Rupert, making there [sic] home here since then.
“Although he had little opportunity for attending school, he received his education by private study. Securing books and texts of the International Correspondence school he studied law and was admitted to the Idaho state bar in 1919.
“For ten years he held the position of probate judge of Minidoka county, being elected on the Republican ticket and served in that capacity until four years ago. He served also as justice of the peace for two years and in 1918 was city clerk of Rupert.
“His friends and business associates, of whom he had many, were shocked and grieved at his tragic act. He had a kindly disposition and a cheerfulness of manner that in no way can be reconciled with his fatal deed. At the time of his death he was engaged in the practice of law but since last November had been unable to be in his office much of the time.
“Besides his grief-stricken wife he is survived by eleven children, five boys and six girls, their father being the first of the family to pass away. The children in order of their ages are Mrs. Florence Biles, 23, of Gridley, California; Mrs. Evelyn Collier, Rupert; Mrs. Catherine Beachell, of Filer, Idaho; Virginia, James, Viola, William, Orville, Arthur, Albert and Phyllis, the youngest, age three, all of whom live at home.
Three brothers, Frank Phibbs of Twin Falls, Robert of Oakland, California, and John of Salt Lake City, and twin sisters, Mrs. Ardena Christensen, San Francisco and Mrs. Mary Hiatt of Paul, also survive.
“Largely attended funeral service were conducted Monday at one o’clock in the Second ward L.D.S. church with Albert Harrison, first counselor to Bishop O. J. Bateman in charge.
“Speakers included David J Borup, former bishop of the Second ward, who came from Boise where he now resides to be present at the funeral. Judge Hugh A. Baker, an attorney friend, and David Hyde and A. H. Jensen, churchmen and friends of the deceased.
“Music was rendered by a chorus of nine voices under direction of Arthur Humphries, singing three selections “I Need Thee Every Hour,” “Sometime We’ll Understand” and “Oh, My Father.”
“Prayers were offered by L.D. Hyde and R.C. May. Interment was in Rupert cemetery with Goodman Mortuary in charge.

Here is a biography of Judge Phibbs from an old Idaho directory of prominent people.

“Judge Calvin Dickerson Phibbs. since 1912 a resident of Rupert, where in 1918 he was elected judge of the probate court of Minidoka county, was born at Hillsville, Virginia, June 12, 1886, a son of James and Elizabeth (Bolt) Phibbs. The parents are also natives of the Old Dominion, where they were reared and educated. Subsequent to his marriage the father there followed farming and stock raising and during his early life also engaged in the profession of teaching. In 1910 he removed westward to Rupert, Idaho, and purchased a farm northeast of the town, becoming owner of eighty acres. At times he has owned various farms, but his holdings at the present time embrace just eighty acres. He and his wife have become members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and in his political views Mr. Phibbs is a republican.

“Calvin D. Phibbs spent his boyhood in his native state and pursued his education in Fairview Academy. He was reared to the occupation of farming, early becoming familiar with the best methods of tilling the soil and caring for the crops. Later he took up electrical engineering and worked along that line until he came to Rupert, Idaho, in 1912. Here he entered the real estate field and after a time he was called upon for public service, being made city clerk of Rupert, which position he filled for a brief period. In 1918 he was elected to the office of probate judge of Minidoka county, which position he is now acceptably filling, being most careful, prompt, systematic and accurate in the discharge of his official duties. On the 15th of December, 1919, he was admitted as an attorney at law in the supreme court of the state of Idaho.

“In 1907 Judge Phibbs was united in marriage to Miss Elizabeth Ross, a native of Pulaski, Virginia, and a daughter of J. T. and Catherine (Graham) Ross, the former a farmer and stockman. Judge and Mrs. Phibbs have become parents of six children: Florence, Evelyn, Catherine, Virginia, James and Viola. The religious belief of the family is that of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and in politics Judge Phibbs is a stalwart republican, giving unfaltering allegiance to the party and its principles. He stands for advancement and improvement in all things that have to do with citizenship and is among that class who are putting forth every effort to spread the principles of true democracy and make one hundred per cent Americanism the rule of this land.

I do not usually place that much quoted material in my histories, but there is so much extra information I probably would not otherwise include, I thought I better just leave them how they were printed.

Calvin Dickerson Phibbs was born 12 June 1886 in Hillsville, Carroll, Virginia. He died 30 March 1933 in Rupert, Minidoka, Idaho. He was buried 4 days later on 3 April 1933 in the Rupert Cemetery.

Now that I have given so much on Calvin, I probably should fill out the life of Fanny a little more, my Great Great Aunt.

Fanny Elizabeth Ross was born 18 November 1893 in Reed Island, Pulaski, Virginia to James Thomas and Damey Catherine Graham Ross. Read more about here parents and family here. She married Calvin Phibbs 22 December 1906 in Welch, McDowell, West Virginia. As mentioned 11 children were born to the marriage. I believe she moved fairly quickly to California after Calvin’s death. While in Rupert, the Phibbs family lived at 96 B Street (unless the streets have been renumbered, this home does not exist any more. Grandpa, Milo Ross, visited her in Salt Lake City before World War II. I do not know if she was living there or just visiting, he does not remember either. She died 23 January 1943 in Daly City, San Francisco, California. She is buried at Cypress Law in Colma, San Francisco, California in an unmarked grave.

Calvin and Fanny’s children are as follows, without spouses.

Florence Geneva Phibbs born 21 June 1907 in Gary, McDowell, West Virginia and died 9 February 1987 in Gridley, Butte, California.

Evelyn Adaway Phibbs born 8 October 1909 in Eckman, McDowell, West Virginia and died 7 January 1961 in San Francisco, San Francisco, California.

Catherine Elizabeth Phibbs born 1 January 1912 in Thorpe, McDowell, West Virginia and died 7 September 1989 in Fall River Mills, Shasta, California.

Virginia Ardena Phibbs born 3 March 1914 in Rupert and died 25 September 1969 in San Francisco County, California.

James Calvin Phibbs born 22 April 1916 in Rupert and died 10 July 1977 in San Francisco.

Viola Belle Phibbs born 21 July 1918 in Rupert and died 11 June 2008.

William Robert Phibbs born 3 October 1920 in Rupert and died 16 September 2010 in Redding, Shasta, California.

Orville Leonard Phibbs born 20 October 1922 in Rupert and died 25 December 1985 in Santa Rosa, Sonoma, California.

Arthur Lee Phibbs born 12 October 1925 in Rupert and died 22 June 1983 in San Francisco.

Richard Albert Phibbs born 25 December 1927 in Rupert and died 27 January 1993 in Clearlake, Lake, California.

Phyllis Elaine Phibbs born 24 February 1930 in Rupert and died 6 July 1972 in Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California.

Of course I am always looking for more information on the family since we do not have contact with any of the descendants.

I thought I would dedicate a post to Ivan Walter “Bud” Lloyd since he just recently passed to the other side of the veil. He was born 5 April 1919 in Riverton, Salt Lake, Utah. His parents were Madeline Cascutti and Walter Graham Lloyd. His father purchased a ranch about 1932 near Montpelier, Bear Lake, Idaho. He lived, married, and raised his family there. Around 1989 or 1990, he met my Grandma, Colleen Mary Andra (whose married name at that time was Jonas). She was in Montpelier for work and Bud told me he met her in a restaurant. Here is a picture from early on, although it is not a great picture.

They loved each other and that is quite evident from the letters and cards. The two were married 31 January 1998 in Dingle, Bear Lake, Idaho. Here is a picture from later that year, you can see how much they enjoyed each others company.

Deer Cliff Inn 1998

Grandma passed away from a surgery that went wrong 14 November 1999 in Boise, Ada, Idaho. Bud moved back to Montpelier from Paul and remained there the rest of his days. He still worked hard maintaining yards and doing other work despite growing older and passing 90. He mowed one last lawn and then didn’t feel well and went to the hospital. He died a few days later on 27 September 2011 in Montpelier.

His funeral was held on 1 October 2011 in Dingle. His family referred to him as “the last of the great cowboys who lived his life on his own terms, his determination and hardworking ways, always peppers with a head tilt, sly grin, and a laugh.” This was true and my memories are of his blue eyes that twinkled, big smile that showed his worn down teeth, and that slight tilt to the head so he could hear you a little better. We stopped to visit him a few weeks ago so we could get a picture with the last of Aliza’s Great Grandparents (the others had already been captured). Unfortunately we missed him. Now we really miss him.

The family took out the last of the great cowboys in a wagon. A true tribute. Rest well Bud, I look forward to seeing you again.

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Here is one of those family history stories we wish happened more regularly. A friend, knowing my abilities in family history, asked for some help. I said sure, not just as a friend, but also because he married a cousin of mine. He knew nothing of his Grandmother’s family except their names. Luckily, despite the commonality of the Webster name, I tracked down his Grandmother on the 1930 Census in Boise, Ada, Idaho. The family did know the maiden name of the Great Grandmother as Hattie Hawley. That confirmed some potentials and fortunately I was able to track down at least two or three generations on each of his Grandmother’s lines in about half a day worth of work.

In doing that work for my friend, I found that Hattie Hawley had a previous marriage to Earl Moxley. I did some searching for Earl Moxley and found a comment on a family history forum where a man had found a photo in an antique shop in Creswell, Lane, Oregon with “Mr. and Mrs. Earl and Hattie Moxley” written on the back. He had tracked down enough information on Earl and Hattie to know who they were, but could not find anyone who might be interested in the photo.

I sent this man an e-mail and his e-mail still worked (often a miracle with dated forum posts). I had asked for a scan of the photo and he was willing to give up the original. I gave him my address and he sent the photo to my address carefully packaged. I was happy to have a dinner appointment with Dustin and Maren McClellan and to present the photo to him so he could give it to his Grandmother. Small world with the internet. 20 years ago, this photo might have been trashed for the impossibility of finding a relative of those in the photo. But in our day and age, only a posting on a forum and a few years later provided a rightful owner.

Earl Bertie Moxley was born 26 August 1887 in Creswell and died 17 May 1925. I could not clearly find out where he died, but he was also buried in Creswell.

Hattie Blanche Hawley was born 4 April 1888 in Lane County, Oregon to Mary H Hillegas and Robert Divolson Hawley. She died 12 January 1979 in Paul, Minidoka, Idaho.

Hattied married Earl 16 June 1909 in Lane County, Oregon. I assume they were divorced but I did not easily find the divorce online and did not pursue the documentation. She married George Reece Webster 14 June 1916 in Boise, Idaho. George and Hattie are Dustin’s Great Grandparents through his paternal grandmother.

George Reece Webster was born 13 November 1880 in Lancaster, Schuyler, Missouri and died 6 December 1953 in Boise. Both George and Hattie were buried in the Morris Hill Cemetery of Boise.

I wish I could have a few more of these little miracles in my family history. Either way, I am happy to have been a part of this little miracle for Dustin’s family. I wonder what Dustin’s Grandmother’s reaction is/was. Had she ever seen this picture? Did she ever see a picture of her mother so young? I will give an update when I hear.

For the Andra Reunion this year, we have been asked to write our memories of my Great Grandpa and Grandma Andra (William Fredrick Andra and Mary Louise Wanner). These are my maternal grandmother’s parents, but we just referred to them as Grandpa and Grandma Andra. For sake of reading, I will call them by their more formal title.

My Grandma (Colleen, their daughter) lived in Paul, Minidoka, Idaho from before I was born. She had grown up in Preston, Franklin, Idaho and her parents still lived there. Therefore, the only time I saw them is when we visited them in Preston or they visited us in Paul. At some point, I will write a more comprehensive history of Bill and Mary Andra, but for now I will only write my personal recollections.

Great Grandpa Andra was born in 1898 and Great Grandma Andra was born in 1901. By the time I was 4 or 5, they were already in their 80’s. Some of my first memories of my Great Grandparents were the Andra Reunions held at Wolcott Park, beside the Minidoka Dam, near Acequia, Minidoka, Idaho. Here is a picture from the reunion in 1984. Great Grandpa and Grandma Andra had 12 children, so our reunions could be quite the crowd of immediate family.

Great Grandpa Andra was pretty ill. Some believed it was Parkinson’s Disease, others just thought it was old age. I do not personally know what it was. I believe the reunion was held at Wolcott Park because Grandpa was staying in the old folks home in Acequia. I remember going there multiple times with Grandma and playing while she attempted to play cribbage with Grandpa. He was pretty shaky, and could not speak in any way that I could understand him. As you can see in the photo, he needed assistance walking by this point and standing.

I remember him at Grandma’s house in Paul one time and we were having dinner. Grandma had to feed him. I do not know exactly what happened, but apparently Grandma became very upset with Grandpa Andra and slapped him over something. I was not present when it happened. I remember Grandma crying and I entered the room hearing her sob and tell Grandpa Andra how very sorry she was for what she had just done. For years afterward, she mentioned how you can spank your children, but you can never slap your Daddy.

Another time we were driving somewhere in Grandma’s 1974 yellow Mercury Cougar. Grandpa Andra was in the car with us and a song came on the radio. The song was “O My Papa” and Grandma sang along with it, apparently to Great Grandpa. Both of them cried. Grandma always sang along with the song, probably in memory of her father. Even today, I hear the song and I think of Grandma singing to her father. Very, very sweet.

Great Grandpa moved back to Preston after probably only a year or two in Acequia. The only times I really saw them then was at the Andra Reunions, now held at Riverdale, Franklin, Idaho. Here is a picture of Great Grandpa in the shade at the Riverdale water park where the reunions were held. I remember he was not very coherent by this point, and family kept herding us away from him so he could have some peace in the shade. I believe this is the last Andra Reunion he attended in 1989.

He passed away during the spring of 1990 and because school was still in, I was not allowed to go down with Grandma to the funeral. I remember wanting to go and sad I could not.

Somewhere before this time, for some unknown reason, we went to visit Great Grandma Andra in Preston. Grandpa was still in the old folks home there because we went to visit him. We actually stayed the night at Great Grandma’s for the only time I ever remember doing so. Grandma left us with Great Grandma for part of the day and she pulled out a big board with holes in it. We played “Aggravation” and it is the only time I think I ever remember playing it. You move marbles around on a board and somehow your marbles were sent back home. I remember enjoying it and Great Grandma getting quite a kick out of Andra’s reaction (I know, confusing, but it is my Sister’s first name…I wonder where my Mom got the name?). She laughed and laughed at one point where Andra was not laughing at all, which only added to Great Grandma’s enjoyment of the situation.

We helped Great Grandma in her massive garden for a good while. I remember the smells of the garden more than anything. She had flowers surrounding the garden and even my young 9-10 year old mind knew it was beautiful. Here is a picture of Great Grandma in 1990 after Great Grandpa Andra passed away.

My last memory of Great Grandma Andra was the day she passed away. She did pretty well getting around and taking care of herself until a stroke hit her a few weeks before she passed away. She went downhill very quickly and I remember there being concerns she would not even live until the Andra Reunion in 1991. The reunion was held and she was in the old folks home in Preston. Everybody knew it was pretty much good-bye at this point. We lingered that Saturday with family and then made our way over to the home to say good-bye to Great Grandma. We all hugged her and gave her kisses. Grandma climbed on the bed and gave Great Grandma a hug. She pretty much was laying on her and sobbing and telling her how much she loved her. Grandma was there too long and we could see that Great Grandma was starting to struggle to breath. Aunt Jackie pulled Grandma off Great Grandma and I still remember the fluffy white hair in the light as we left the room. It was a sweet feeling as we left.

We drove from Preston to Paul. As we walked into the house from the garage, the phone rang. Grandma answered the phone and the person on the other end informed Grandma that Great Grandma had died while we were driving back home. Grandma started crying and went somewhere to be alone. I remember feeling just as sad knowing how much Grandma loved her parents.

I have a very soft spot in my heart for my Great Grandparents because of the love I know my Grandma had for them. I did not get to know them very well. Their memory is still fresh in my mind though. I can still remember both of their smiles, Great Grandma’s laughter, and a sly look Great Grandpa Andra would get in his eye when he would tease me. I can remember looking at his little tattoo that looked like a eggbutt snaffle bit, that was the only thing in my life that I thought it resembled, just above the thumb knuckle. Kinda like an 8 on its side with a line between the loops near the thumb of the hand. I cannot remember if this was the hand he lost his thumb? (I seem to remember being told someone had the thumb in a jar!) I did not get to attend Great Grandma’s funeral either.

Anyhow, in closing, here is a picture of after May Melycher was born. They all drove down to get a 4 generation shot. I assume sometime in 1989.

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Since it is the season of graduations and I am fortunate to have just participated in one, I thought I would give a little personal post about some of my earlier formal graduations. I am sure there are other graduations I probably participated in, but I do not have photos of them, at least that I am aware. Like graduation from diapers, which consists of a diaper on the head with a tassel. Or graduation from elementary school, which would consist of a wedgie (and a tassel!).

Here are my Kindergarten Graduation Pictures. The Graduation ‘ceremony’ was held in the West Minico Junior High Auditorium in Paul, Idaho. I can still remember the day, both sets of Grandparents being present, and some of the program. It was quintessentially the same program that Andra, my sister, would go through two years later and I remember that occasion for her. I am assuming I graduated Kindergarten in the spring of 1984.

Now we can forward more than a decade to graduation from high school. I graduated from Minico High School in Rupert, Idaho in the spring of 1997. I swear there are photos out there of the occasion, I have seen them. It does not seem my family has any at the actual ceremony, and whatever my Grandmother had is with her stash, wherever that might be since she passed away. That could be the dump, but I guess it is in a drawer somewhere in Alaska. Maybe some day… This is a photo in my Grandmother’s home in Paul, Idaho. This photo was taken on my Grandma’s birthday and probably taken by her. I am still pretty thin, excited about life, and wearing that new class bling, I mean ring (that was rudely stolen by a home invader in 2009).

Forwarding a few more years, here is a picture of graduation from Utah State University in Logan, Utah on 17 December 2005 with a BS in Law & Constitutional Studies. By this point I am days away from marriage to Miss Amanda Hemsley so she joined me in the photo, along with future in-laws (my Dad and Jan are in the photo too, to my left). I even got some fancy cords again! Two more of my grandparents had passed away by this time and the last one was unwilling to attend.

Now the latest event in my graduation history. Graduation on 15 May 2011 from Oklahoma City University in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma with a Juris Doctor. Not only is my Dad and in-laws in the picture, my family has been joined by the newest addition of Aliza. I doubt there are further formal graduations in life, besides death, awaiting in the future. But at least we have some of these graduations in photograph.

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I believe this is the earliest photos I have of my sister, Andra Ross. She will probably not be entirely pleased that I am displaying the earliest photographs I have of her. At any rate, with the whole baby kick and trying to find similarities at this point in the game, I thought I should post a picture of my full sister.

Andra Ross was born 16 September in the Cassia Memorial Hospital & Medical Center in Burley, Idaho (the same location as me). She weighed in at 7 pounds, 1 ounce at 19 inches long. Her parents are my parents, Milo Paul Ross and Sandra Jonas. My parents were then residing at 108 N. 3rd E. in Paul, Idaho. I believe the same address my Mom was living at when I was born. We also were delivered by the same doctor, Dr. A. L. Kircher. (If anyone knows his first and middle name, I would not mind having it.) Interestingly, Sandy purchased a 1956 Dodge Coronet from Dr. Kircher on 22 September 1978. The same “Old Dodge” in my possession, drivable, and will be lovingly restored at some point.

I do not want to give too much commentary on Andra’s life. I will make a few mentions about the photos above though. Notice the full head of hair that she was born with. Honestly, her chubbiness covers up most of the features that distinguish her later in life. I look at these photos and do not recognize her. But then again, the trauma of a giving birth does a number on a baby’s head and facial features and head shape change quite drastically over the first few months. I will say this. Looking at Andra’s pictures as she grows older, much of the bone structure and facial features remind me of my Grandma Gladys Ross. As Andra approached adulthood she took on more of Sandy’s characteristics. I still personally see much of Gladys in there, but so many people comment on how much she looks like my Mom. I think they are just going from memory and not comparing the actual pictures. Anyhow, I see no resemblance, except for hair, between little Aliza and my sister Andra. (I realize we already have too many “A” names in the family; ie. Amanda, Andra, Aliza, Alyssa).

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With the impending baby in the next few days, I thought I would share a photo of me and a couple of thoughts.

My first thought is, “Who is that?” Of course I never saw myself in this station of life, or at least I do not remember it. But as I look at the photo I see familiar features. Not so much of me, but features that remind me of baby photos of my Mom and Aunt Jackie. I do not see many features of my Dad that would start to appear throughout childhood. While I want to deny the photo is me, I know it is.

I was born at 9:08 in the morning. I weighed in at a whopping 5 pounds 12.5 ounces. I slid into this world at 18.5 inches in length. The photo you see above is of me probably within 5 days of birth. I do have a photo from the same day but you cannot see my features like you can this photo.

Notice that I was born with a full head of hair. It appears our baby will be born the same. The ultrasound unfortunately does not give us hair color so we will have to wait and see. My hair has stayed pretty much the same color since with variations for sun bleaching.

I do not know if I came early or not. I have no knowledge of an early birth and while I may look a little thin, I spent no extra time in the hospital. I do believe my Mom smoked through the pregnancy would may account for my light birth weight and potential early delivery.

While my Dad is obviously not in this photo, he kinda is. Those dual tires and trailer in the background clearly represent him. I do not know if he was superintendent of Circle A Construction’s Paul, Idaho job at the time (I believe he was), he was still working with these sugar beet trailers. These tires provided my family’s income at this year and for many years to come.

These wheels tell me much more though. This photograph was likely taken at the Amalgamated Sugar Company’s factory at Paul, Idaho. If the photo was taken by my Dad, I am not sure a semi trailer would be so close. A pickup, office, or something else may have been closer. This shot was likely taken by my Grandma, because she worked as a dispatcher at the Paul factory for Circle A Construction then. Those trucks and trailers parked only feet from where the trailer was located. Furthermore, that trailer was so small that a good first photograph by my Grandma probably would have required a little more space and light. Hence, my Mom is likely standing outside the trailer, my Grandma taking the shot, looking down at the new mother and baby. The semi is also parked driving from left to right, which is the same direction those trucks drove and parked. Dad will probably clarify if it was him who took the shot, but I have a pretty good suspicion it was Grandma. Not only is Dad in the shot, but Grandma is too.

My Mom’s look clothing also is indicative of the time. Yep, I can class my self with a period. If that does not ring 70’s, I do not know what does. Those mirrored glasses that she would wear in many of my memories afterward. The overalls that were so popular at the time. My Mom is wearing the bracelet that as far as I know, she wore until the day she entered prison. While I am sure the glasses were replaced over time, I am not sure about the bracelet.

Even the tread on the tires seems like something from the past. The tread seems to have changed over the years for semi-tractors although I don’t know.

Anyhow, that is enough on this photo. Is that a cloth diaper? I must have been just changed or something because my onesie is still open at the bottom, or that was the coolest fashion! I swear I can smell the sugar factory now. That sweet, biting taste that smells of money to so many people.

That cute little baby is actually me. Amanda seems to think the ultrasound photos show a brow and facial features like this photo. I guess we will just have to wait and see this weekend.